Forgiveness Meditation as an Effort in Improving Mental Health among College Students Rahmandani Amalia1,*, Kahija Yohanis Franz La1, Salma1 1Faculty of Psychology, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia *Corresponding Author: Amalia Rahmandani, Faculty of Psychology, Diponegoro University, Prof. Soedarto, S.H., Tembalang, Semarang, 50275, Central Java, Indonesia, Email: amalia_rahmandani07@yahoo.co.id, a.rahmandani@live.undip.ac.id
Online published on 20 March, 2019. Abstract College students as emerging adulthood may experience both mental and physical health problems due to maladaptive adjustments. Both mental and physical health problems are mutually reinforcing that cause marked impairment in everyday life functioning. Efforts to deal with mental health problem are expected to promote general health. Either forgiveness or meditation is separately proven effective in improving mental and physical health, but the efficacy of forgiveness meditation has not been adequately researched. This study aims to examine the effect of forgiveness meditation toward mental health improvement among college students, as indicated by the declined of distress. This study used one-group pretest-and-posttest quasi-experimental design with follow-up measurements two weeks after treatment ended. Measurements were conducted using the short version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Samples were obtained using purposive sampling techniques, as many as 9 college students from The Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia. The analysis using statistical test of Wilcoxon T-test between pre-test and post-test, and pre-test and follow-up, showed significant decrease (respectively were Z=-2.670, p=.008; Z=-2.675, p=.007), while between post-test and follow-up did not (Z=-.256, p=.798). The result showed a significant decrease in distress after treatment ended. This result remained significant up to follow-up measurements, though the difference between post-test and follow-up was not significant. Forgiveness meditation may have sustainable and increasing effect if it is regularly practiced. A sustained decrease in distress, which indicates the improvement of mental health, is further expected to support the improvement of physical health, adaptive adjustment, and optimal functioning. Top Keywords Emerging adulthood, distress, mental health, forgiveness meditation. Top |